by Johnny Slade

Created on: November 05, 2009   Last Updated: November 06, 2009

The relieving magic of laughter is an absolute escape from every tension that we all have to tackle in a life of various overwhelming obstacles and day to day trials. Comedy, with its many elements like parodies, one-liners, satire, situational, slapstick gags, stand-up, sketches and even some dark premises had always helped me through difficult times. This article is my tribute for every comedian that brought laughter into my life and continues to do so and for every up and coming comic that is working really hard to get recognition in order to bring more laughter into this unfunny world that we are in.

GEORGE CARLIN

My first taste of renegade comedy was from this brilliant man. Rude, crass, attacked every controversial issue on political, social and cultural levels. Carlin's library of HBO specials and recorded performances are timeless and current with the social and political climate, along with attacks and logical reasoning against ridiculous concepts (like Patriotism, Media and religion), He set the highest standards in comedy with every thought provoking monologues. Rest in Peace!

BILL HICKS

With Influences from Carlin, Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor and others, Hicks was armed with the mediums of Dark Comedy and some music as he was big fan of rock and roll. The subjects that he tackled included American pop culture, conspiracy theories, Human sexuality, Psychedelic drugs, U.F.O., Abortion and rock and roll. Hicks was pulled off broadcast on the David Letterman show when he did a bit on abortion, He has numerous comedy disks as well as newly re-issued videos. Pancreatic cancer claimed the life of this genius dark jester on January 6,1994. Rest in Peace!

MONTY PYTHON

The Beatles of British troupe comedy that paved way for such shows like Saturday Night Live, The Kids in the hall and others. The cast of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam made their legendary mark from the television series of The Flying Circus, various comedy records and feature films. Rest in peace, Sir Graham Chapman.

THE KIDS IN THE HALL

Canada's very own surfaced from the late eighties lands their mark on HBO with unique and hilarious sketch comedy with some similar outrageous and silliness of Python. The troupe consisted of David Foley, Mark McKinney, Bruce McCullough, Scott Thompson, and Kevin McDonald.

BILL MURRAY

A former cast member of Saturday Night Live made me laugh my butt off with films like "Stripes", "The man who knew too little","Kingpin"

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